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Moroccan Chicken and Orange Tajine

Moroccan Chicken and Orange Tajine

This Moroccan Chicken and Orange Tajine is a flavorful dish combining tender chicken with sweet oranges and aromatic spices.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Moroccan
Servings 4 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • tajine

Ingredients
  

Poultry

  • 1 whole chicken (appx 2.5 lbs or 1 kg) cut into pieces

Oils and Condiments

  • ¼ cup olive oil

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion diced

Spices

  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ginger powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 8-10 threads saffron pinch
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 2-3 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • ¼ teaspoon salt pinch

Liquids

  • ½ cup water

Fruits

  • 1 large thin-skinned orange

Other

  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • toasted, chopped almonds optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Clean and cut your chicken. You can leave some skin on or completely remove it depending on personal preference.
  • In a bowl combine fresh ginger, powdered ginger, turmeric, pepper, and salt. Pour ½ of the oil into the spices and mix them together.
  • Add the spice mixture to the chicken, rubbing all over the meat, and set aside to marinate while preparing the rest of the dish.
  • In a small cup add a small amount of warm water. Break apart the saffron threads in your hand and add to the warm water. Leave for 2-3 minutes until it blooms.

Cooking

  • Dice a large onion into fine dice and add to the bottom of the tajine or cooking vessel. Add the remaining oil and turn to low heat. Leave for 5 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
  • When the onions have softened, arrange the chicken in the tajine. Pour the saffron water on top of the chicken pieces.
  • Add a ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the tajine and cover.
  • Allow the chicken to cook on low heat for 45 minutes - 1 hour. Check the water level and the tenderness of the chicken. It should be falling apart. If not continue cooking adding a bit of water if necessary.

To Cook the Oranges

  • Wash and dry the orange well.
  • Slice into thin slices with a sharp knife. As thin as possible.
  • Add just enough water to cover the oranges as well as the cinnamon stick. Turn to very low heat and leave to cook.
  • Add the cinnamon powder, sugar/honey, and a pinch of salt after the oranges have softened. Boil until a thick syrup is created.
  • Arrange the oranges on top of the tagine and pour the sauce around the base of the dish.
  • At the very end roughly chop some almonds and sprinkle them on the top of the oranges. They add a nice texture contrast.

Notes

This dish is best served with couscous or crusty bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chicken, orange, savory, spices, tajine
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